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Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was not getting carried away after his team’s 1-0 win at Sheffield United placed them second in the Premier League on Saturday, and the Italian maintains that clinching a place in Europe is the height of his ambition.
Everton, who are now two points behind leaders Liverpool although they have played one more match, recorded their ninth win in 15 league games despite losing a host of key players due to injury.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal with 10 minutes remaining gave Everton victory and ensured they will finish in the top four during the Christmas holiday period for the first time in 16 years.
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Ancelotti paid tribute to the fighting qualities of his team and said: “We are second for the spirit of this team, the motivation and the ambition that the players have for this season.”
“We are not the best team, but we are a solid team. This, in my opinion, is a very good quality for a team,” he told the club’s website.
While Everton are hot on the heels of the defending champions, Ancelotti said the goal for the season had not changed.
“The ambition and the objective is the same for the season: to reach a position in Europe.”
Everton, who last won the English top flight in 1987, were missing a number of “important” players, including James Rodriguez, Lucas Digne and Allan, but Ancelotti said there was no reason to add the team in the transfer window.
“With these players back, we can still have a good season, we don’t have to think about the January transfer window,” added Ancelotti.
Everton have little time to savor their elevated position in the Premier League as they return to action on Monday with a visit from Manchester City.
“We are there [second]We are happy to be there, but we don’t have much time to think about it, ”said Ancelotti.
